Clinching league title may not be enough says Leo Messi

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi recognises that even if his team pull off a Liga Liga title win on saturday against Atlético Madrid, it might not be enough to save the team’s season.

Barça go head to head with Diego Simeone’s men at the Camp Nou on Saturday knowing that a win will crown them La Liga champions. However,the speculation surrounding Tata Martino and his immediate future would be more fitting at a club that was fighting for survival, not one that is on the cusp of winning the Spanish League.

Since being dumped out of the Champions league by Simeone’s men and losing the final of La Copa del Rey against old foes Real Madrid inside a week, the media have had a field day with speculation about Martino’s continuance at the Catalan club with former Real Madrid and Barcelona player Luis Enrique said to be one of the leading candidates should the Argentine get the axe.

Leo Messi was speaking to Europa Press on Tuesday and said it had been a tough season for the Catalans who are still in mourning over the death of Tito Vilanova. Messi was also unsure whether winning the Spanish League would be enough to keep Martino at the Camp Nou.

“We want to win La Liga, after everything that has happened, and dedicate it to Tito, who would’ve surely wanted it this way,” said the Argentine.
“He loved this club so much and was such a massive fan, it would make him proud.”

“This season has been very weird, the top three teams made many mistakes and we won the games we had to win, to make sure we were in the title race. We are fortunate to only rely on us ourselves. The league is important because of what it means and because of the work we’ve done over a complicated and difficult year.”

“We keep going through difficult circumstances year after year and we’ve risen above it and after all that, to go on and win the title would be great.”

“I don’t know if it’ll save our season but it’d be a very important title.”

If Barça manage to pull this off for Tito Vilanova on Saturday they would end the season on 89 points, the same as Atlético Madrid. They would then win on the head to head rule as the last match they played against Simeone’s men ended in a 0-0 draw. it won’t be easy though, as Barcelona have failed to beat Atlético on their last five outings.